The Darling Strumpet

She sold her innocence … and captured the heart of a king.

‘A richly engaging portrait of the life and times of one of history's most appealing characters!’ Diana Gabaldon, creator of the Outlander series.

London, 1660

Growing up in the bawdy atmosphere of 17th century Covent Garden, Nell Gwynn is little more than a girl when she enters the world of the courtesan. But Nell learns the hard way that to be at the mercy of unscrupulous men is no life at all.

With London’s theatres flourishing, Nell seizes an opportunity to change her luck and takes a job selling oranges at The King’s Playhouse on Drury Lane.

It isn’t long before Nell takes centre-stage herself and her saucy wit and ambitious temperament soon catch the eye of the young King Charles II. But can she keep him enthralled when the country’s finest Ladies are vying for his attentions at court?

A captivating historical fiction novel that will lead you through the streets of 17th century London to the court of King Charles II. Perfect for fans of Julia Quinn and Tessa Dare.

Reviews

Praise for The Darling Strumpet:

"Richly engaging portrait of the life and times of one of history's most appealing characters!" – Diana Gabaldon

"Bawdy and poignant … an ebullient page-turner!" – Leslie Carroll, author of Royal Affairs

"Hard to resist this sort of seduction – a Nell Gwynn who pleasures the crowds upon the stages of London and the noblest men of England in their bedrooms. A vivid portrait of an age that makes our own seem prudish, told with verve, humour, pathos… and not a little eroticism." – C.C. Humphreys, Author of Jack Absolute.

“… an absolute triumph as a debut novel…. The Darling Strumpet is an absolutely brilliant addition to the historical fiction genre and might be the best novel on Nell Gwynn ever…. Nell would have applauded in approval and probably done a little jig to celebrate her tribute.” – Kayla Posney, Pittsburgh Historical Fiction Examiner

About the author

Gillian Bagwell has had a life-long love of books, British history, and theatre, and united these passions in writing ‘The Darling Strumpet’, her first novel. She began her professional life as an actress, then moved from acting to directing and producing, founding The Pasadena Shakespeare Company, which she ran for nine years. She now lives in Berkeley, California.

Please visit Gillian’s website, www.gillianbagwell.com, for news on her books, articles, and links to blogs of her research adventures.